44  Wto*  Stilt 
Cbe  iforts?" 


"WHO  BUILT  THE  FORTS?" 


An  Interesting  Paper  Read  Before  The  Anna  Warner  Bailey 

Chapter,  of  Groton  and  Stonington,  D.  A.  R. — Written  by 

Miss  Mary  E.  Benjamin. 


In  the  following  most  interesting  paper  by  Miss  Mary  E. 
Benjamin,  of  New  London,  a  question  of  the  builders  of  Forts  Gris- 
wold  and  Trumbull  finds  an  unquestionable  solution.  The  paper  is 
most  timely  and  is  not  alone  printed  because  of  its  interest  but  at 
the  request  of  the  members  of  the  Anna  Warner  Bailey  chapter, 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  before  whom  it  was  read, 
Thursday,  April  I4th,  1898  : 

Suns  rise  and  set,  days,  months  and  years  roll  on.  The  present, 
to-day,  is  the  past,  to-morrow,  and  history  is  constantly  being 
evolved.  • 

Our  minds  do  not  grasp,  cannot  all,  that  history  implies.  The 
earth  has  been  peopled  with  a  seething,  surging  humanity,  where 
has  been  the  struggle  of  ages  for  supremacy.  The  enormous  ex- 
penditure of  money,  the  rivers  of  blood  through  which  contending 
nations  have  passed,  never  can  be  told.  Research  of  the  history  of 
past  nations,  of  battlefields  immortalized  by  struggle  and  death,  will 
never  exhaust  itself.  But  the  patriotic  societies  of  today  deal  with 
"  home  and  country."  We  are  to  become  better  informed  regarding 
the  deeds  of  those  who  fought  for  our  individual  happiness  and 
freedom. 

We  have  a  country  (a  glorious  one)  and  when  we  consider  that 
your  ancestors  and  mine,  made  it  what  it  is,  why  not  23,000  strong, 
rise  to  do  them  honor  ? 


The  women  of  today  may  never  experience  the  hardships,  priva- 
tions and  death-loss  of  husband,  son  or  father,  and  it  seems  more 
than  impossible  for  us  to  conceive  how  noble  they  were.  When  we 
look  over  our  own  fair  town,  most  "  beautiful  for  situation,"  how 
can  we  realize  the  bombarding  fleets,  the  burning,  pillaged,  deserted 
town.  I  have  endervored  to  picture  to  myself  the  "  patriotic  Jona- 
than Brooks,"  who  with  "  the  singed  cat,"  were  for  a  time,  the  only 
occupants  of  the  same.  Preparations  had  been  made,  both  sides  of 
the  river  to  repel  the  invaders.  Fort  Griswold,  then  in  its  birth 
struggle,  was  to  become  a  strong  contending  foe  to  the  on-coming 
enemy.  Who  of  us  know  its  history?  Whose  conception  it  was  or 
who  carried  the  plans  into  execution  ?  Here  it  stands  today,  with  its 
green  ramparts,  quiet,  calm,  serene,  little  evidence  to  be  seen  of  the 
horrors  of  that  dreadful  massacre.  Who  then  planned  the  infant 
fort,  who  carried  into  execution  those  plans,  I  repeat  ?  The  im- 
mortal Ledyard  came  of  good  stock;  those  of  that  day  were  "  faithful 
sons  of  noble  sires,"  for  historical  records  tell  us  "Mr.  Ebenezer 
Ledyard  and  Parke  Avery  built  the  fort." 

Who  built  the  fort  ?  Thrice  I  repeat  it,  Ebenezer  Ledyard  and 
Parke  Avery,  and  it  received  its  baptism  with  life-blood  of  friend 
and  brother.  Ebenezer  Ledyard  gave  himself  on  parol  for  his 
neighbor  and  friend,  and  Parke  Avery  (of  the  illustrious  family  of 
whom  NINE  laid  down  their  sword  in  mortal  combat)  gave  brain  and 
brawn  to  the  service. 

In  colonial  records  of  Connecticut,  volume  xv,  page  452,  we 
read  "An  account  of  Ebenezer  Ledyard,  Esq  ,  and  Mr.  Parke 
Avery  (a  committee  who  built  the  fort  at  Groton)  laid  in,  examined, 
adjusted  and  allowed  thereon,  the  sum  of  ,£265.7.9  in  discharge 
thereof,  and  voted  that  an  order  be  drawn  for  that  sum."  "An 
order  is  drawn  and  delivered  Mr.  Ledyard,  July  3,  1776." 

*  *  x  *  *  *  * 

"On  the  25th  of  July,  i"75,  three  British  ships  of  war  came 
athwart  New  London  harbor  and  anchored.  These  were  the  Rose, 
commanded  by  Captain  Wallace,  the  Swan  and  the  Kingfisher. 
This  was  a  virtual  blockade  and  created  much  alarm.  The  town 
had  no  defense,  but  the  spirit  of  her  inhabitants.  The  sole  strength 


of  the  fort  was  its  garrison,  which  consisted  chiefly  of  captains  and 
mates  of  vessels  that  lay  unemployed  at  its  wharves. 

No  other  commander  on  this  coast  acquired  a  renown  so  odious 
as  Captain  Wallace  of  the  Rose.  He  was  the  terror  of  the  small 
forts  and  small  vessels,  capturing  and  plundering  without  discrimin- 
ation, and  threatening  various  points  with  attack.  On  the  3oth  of 
August  he  verified  his  threats  by  a  cannonade  of  the  thriving  village 
of  Stonington,  Long  Point.  On  this  exposed  peninsula  about  half 
a  mile  in  length  (formerly  a  moiety  of  the  Cheeseborough  farm)  a 
hardy  company  of  mariners  and  artisans  had  clustered  together  and 
acquired  a  creditable  share  of  the  trade  of  the  Sound. 

The  tender  of  the  Rose,  whose  business  it  was  to  destroy  every- 
thing in  the  shape  of  keel,  or  sail,  that  came  in  its  way,  pursued  one 
of  its  victims  to  the  wharf  of  the  village.  Captain  Benjamin  Pendle- 
ton  and  other  brave  and  true  men  were  there,  and  the  tender  was 
soon  driven  from  its  prey.  But  the  Rose  came  up  and,  without 
summons  or  communication  of  any  kind,  opened  her  broadside  upon 
the  village.  She  continued  firing  at  intervals  for  hours,  until  the 
pursued  vessel  was  cut  out  and  conveyed  away.  Only  sound  shots 
were  used  and  therefore  no  houses  took  fire,  though  several  were 
shattered  by  the  balls.  Only  one  man  was  wounded,  but  none 
killed. 

Hinman,  page  162,  says:  "At  the  October  session  of'the 
legislature,  1775,  the  sum  of  .£12.4.4  was  allowed  Jonathan  Weaver, 
Jr.,  (a  music  man)  in  the  company  of  Captain  Oliver  Smith,  who 
was  dangerously  wounded  at  Stonington,  Long  Point." 

And  when  Stonington  was  again  cannonaded  by  the  British, 
August  g,  1814,  one  man  only  was  severely  wounded,  no  one  was 
killed.  On  the  5th  and  6th  of  August,  1775,  a  fleet  of  nine  ships 
and  several  smaller  vessels  gathered  around  New  London  harbor 
and  appeared  as  if  about  to  enter.  Expresses  were  sent  forth  to 
alarm  the  country,  but  it  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  object  of  the 
fleet  was  to  secure  the  stock  that  was  owned  upon  the  fertile  islands 
of  the  sound.  From  Pushers  Island  alone  was  taken  1,100  sheep, 
beside  cattle  and  other  provisions,  for  which  they  made  a  reasonable 
compensation  to  Mr.  Brown,  the  lessee  of  the  Island  ;  but  from 


Gardiners  and  Plum  Islands  they  took  what  they  wanted  without 
payment.  This  incident,  probably,  operated  as  a  spur  upon  the 
higher  powers  of  the  colony  in  regard  to  a  subject  much  discussed  in 
their  councils,  viz  :  The  fortifications  of  New  London. 

Among  the  heads  of  inquiry  proposed  by  his  "  Majesty's  Secre- 
tary of  State,"  to  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  in  1773  was  this: 
"  What  forts  and  places  of  defense  are  there  within  your  govemmiKt 
and  in  what  condition?"  To  which  Governor  Trumbull  replied, 
October,  1774,  "  A  small  battery  at  New  London,  consisting  of  nine 
funs,  built  and  supported  at  the  colony's  expense."  This,  then, 
was  the  only  fortification  in  Connecticut  when  the  war  was  com- 
menced. But  the  defense  of  the  coast  was  a  subject  to  which  the 
attention  of  the  legislature  was  soon  called.  April,  1775,  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  examine  the  points  of  defense  and  report  on 
the  best  means  of  securing  the  country  from  invasion.  Of  this 
committee  Messrs.  G.  Saltonstall,  D.  Deshon  and  T.  Mumford 
reported  in  regard  to  New  London.  "  That  the  battery  was  in  a 
ruinous  condition  and  that  the  only  effective  cannon  in  the  place  con- 
sisted of  six  new  pieces  (four  eighteens  and  two  twelves.')  They  pro- 
posed that  //tree  positions,  viz  :  Mamacock,  Winthrop's  Neck  and 
Groton  Height,  should  be  fortified  and  that  fourteen  ne\o  cannon 
(twenty-fours},  should  lie  purchased  ' 

'  This  judicious  advice  was  not  adopted,  probably  on  account  of 
a  void  in  the  treasury.  All  that  was  obtained  at  this  time,  was  an 
order  to  repair  and  complete  the  old  fort.  This  was  done  during 
the  summer  under  the  direction  of  Colonel  Saltonstall,  who  in  effect 
rebuilt  the  works,  and  mounted  upon  them  all  the  cannons  in  the 
town.  This  fortification  stood  near  the  water's  edge,  where  is  now 
the  ferry  landing  to  Groton.  Here  was  the  battlement,  the  platform, 
the  cannon  and  the  flag-staff  ;  the  magazines  stood  a  little  to  the 
west.  The  garrison  consisted  of  from  twelve  to  twenty  men, 
Nathaniel  Saltonstall,  captain  ;  Stephen  Hemp'tead,  lieutenant. 

On  the  Groton  side  of  the  river,  with  a  spirit  of  enthusiasm  that 
did  not  wait  for  legislative  aid  the  inhabitants  voluntarily  threw  vp 
intrenchments,  excavated  ditches  and  erected  breastworks  at  sundry 
exposed  places  which,  though  they  had  no  ordnance  exc pt  a  few 


puces  at  the  principal  battery  on  the  heights,  obtained  frof/i  the 
supply  brought  in  by  Commodore  Hopkins,  they  resolved  to  defend' 
to  the  last  extremity.  On  the  river  below  Norwich  (at  Waterman's 
Point),  a  battery  was  erected  under  the  superintendence  of  Benjamin 
Huntington  and  Ephraim  Bill  and  furnished  with  four  six-pounders. 
Such  were  the  preparations  made  to  receive  the  enemy  in  1775. 

The  governor  and  council  of  safety,  acceding  to  the  oft  repeated 
request  of  the  inhabitants  that  something  further  might  be  done  for 
them  in  the  way  of  fortification,  sent  Colonel  Jedediah  Elderkin  to 
New  London  in  1775  to  view  the  premises,  and  report  what  fortifi- 
cations were  necessary.  After  a  general  survey  and  consultation 
with  the  principal  men  both  sides  of  the  river,  he  confirmed  the 
judgment  heretofore  given  by  the  committee  and  recommended  the 
immediate  fortification  of  the  three  points  designated  by  them.  The 
neck  of  land  bounding  New  London  harbor  on  the  south,  now  called 
Fort  Neck,  but  then  known  by  its  Indian  name  (Mamacock)  was 
then  a  broad  irregular  platform  of  rocks,  rising  twenty  feet  above 
the  water,  and  connected  with  the  main  land  by  meadows  and 
marshes. 

Here  Colonel  Elderkin  proposed  the  erection  of  a  rampart  front- 
ing east  eighty  feet,  south  eighty  feet,  north  eighty  feet,  but  not  at 
right  angles,  with  five  embrasures  in  each  bank  to  be  defended  by 
five  cannon,  eighteen  or  twenty  pounders. 

The  point  selected  on  the  Groton  side  was  nearly  opposite  the 
center  of  the  harbor.  The  ascent  within  fifty  rods  of  the  water's 
edge  was  120  feet.  The  summit  was  tolerably  level.  Here  it  was 
supposed  that  a  breastwork  of  turf  and  gravel,  with  some  ten  pieces 
of  cannon,  would  be  all  that  was  necessary.  It  was  also  recom- 
mended that  a  breastwork  should  be  raised  on  Winthrop's  Neck  and 
planted  with  ten  cannon. 

This  report  of  Colonel  Elderkin  was  made  to  the  governor  and 
council,  November  I5th.  In  Elderkin's  report  the  land  at  Mama- 
cock  was  purchased  of  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jr.,  and  an  acre  and  a 
quarter  for  the  works  at  Groton  of  Jonathan  Chester  and  Elitha 
Priof.  Groton  fort  was  commenced  December  $lh,  J?7J,  and  on 
the  22d  orders  were  issued  for  the  works  to  be  commenced  under  the 

5 


direction  of  a  committee  of  six  persons:  Colonel  Saltonstall,  Eben- 
ezer  Ledyard,  John  Deshon,  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jr.,  Peter  Avery  and 
Josiah  Watrous  (Waters).  In  December,  1775,  the  two  principal 
works  were  honored  with  the  names  of  the  governor,  and  deputy 
governor,  Trumbull  and  Griswold,  they  were  imperfect  and  un- 
finished. This  is  not  surprising  when  we  note  the  difficulties  which 
in  those  revolutionary  times  stood  in  the  way  of  public  works.  The 
labor  was  performed  by  relays  of  fresh  recruits,  changed  every  few 
weeks,  under  the  direction  of  the  civil  authority  and  field  officers. 
These  labors  were  performed  in  part  by  mere  boys  or  in  part  by  aged 
persons,  who  had  perhaps  the  judgment,  but  not  physical  energy.  In 
the  case  of  these  small  fortifications,  the  legislature  must  first  discuss 
the  matter  and  pass  the  resolves  ;  the  governor  and  council  of  safety 
must  take  it  up  ;  Colonel  Saltonstall  must  be  consulted  ;  Mr.  Shaw 
must  be  summoned  to  Hartford  to  give  advice  ;  Colonel  Mott  must 
be  sent  to  New  London  to  survey  ;  Colonel  Dyer  and  Mr.  Wales- 
must  examine  and  report.  The  works  begin,  stop,  go  on.  The 
governor  and  council  direct  just  the  number  of  sledges,  hammers, 
shovels,  spades,  crowbars,  pickaxes,  chains,  etc.,  are  to  be  provided 
for  the  work.  Timber,  tools,  teams  and  other  necessary  materials, 
are  to  be  procured  by  Colonel  Saltonstall  for  Winthrop's  Neck  ;  by 
Ebenezer  Ledyard,  for  Groton,  and  Nathaniel  Shaw,  for  Mamacock. 
The  timber  was  in  the  forests,  and  must  be  selected  while  growing. 
The  assembly  must  now  apply  to  Congress  for  cannon  to  furnish 
their  works,  asking  for  some  of  the  brass  pieces  taken  at  St.  Johns. 
They  must  apply  to  Admiral  Hopkins  for  some  of  the  New  Prov- 
idence ordnance.  They  cannot  obtain  the  necessary  complement, 
and  it  is  decided  that  the  heavy  cannon  must  be  cast  in  Smith's  fur- 
naces at  Salisbury,  Ct.  In  order  to  accomplish  this  the  furnace 
must  be  enlarged,  new  workmen  obtained,  higher  wagjes  given, 
woodland  must  be  bought  to  obtain  fuel  for  the  furnace,  and  all 
these  details  must  be  performed  by  the  executive  officers  of  the 
state  ;  Colonel  Elderkin  and  others  must  make  journeys  to  and  forth 
from  Salisbury  to  Hartford,  to  manage  the  business.  In  the  summer 
of  1777  the  works  were  regarded  as  finished. 


The  digitizer  of  Foft  Trumlndl  was  Colonel  Josiah  Waters  >  of 
Port  Grisu'o/J)  Colonel  Samuel  Mott.  Two  artillery  companies,  one 
for  each  fortress,  were  raised,  and  of  these  Nathaniel  Saltonstall  and 
William  Ledyard  were  the  first  captains  and  must  be  regarded  as 
the  first  actual  commanders  of  Forts  Trumbull  and  Griswold.  They 
were  appointed  July  3,  1776. — (Afiss  Calkin 's  Hist,  of  New  London.} 
******* 

Our  effort  has  been  made  to  prove  who  built  the  forts  :  the 
dreadful  massacre,  and  all  that  pertains  to  New  London  and  Groton 
in  the  siege  of  1781,  probably  even  most  of  the  Children  of  the 
American  Revolution  know,  but  who  built  the  defences  that  to-day 
they  ramble  over — how  many  can  tell  ? 

In  March,  1778,  Captain  William  Ledyard  was  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  posts  of  New  London,  Groton  and  Stonington,  with 
the  rank  and  pay  of  major.  Under  his  direction  the  works  were 
repaired  and  strengthened  and  additional  batteries  erected.  William 
Latham  was  captain  of  artillery  at  Groton  and  Adam  Shapley  at 
New  London. 

In  Connecticut  Colonial  Records,  volume  xv.,  We  read:  "Voted. 
That  Ebenezer  Ledyard,  Esq.,  apply  to  Mr.  Jonathan  Chester,  of 
Groton,  for  liberty  for  the  engineers  at  Groton  to  convey  as  much  of 
said  Chester's  land  as  shall  be  wanted  for  the  use  of  the  fort  there, 
and  agree  with  said  Chester  upon  some  good  men  to  apprize  such 
land  on  oath  to  be  purchased  by  the  colony  and  make  a  report 
thereof  to  the  general  assembly  in  May  next." 

Colonial  Records  of  Connecticut,  volume  xv.,  page  205,  April 
16,  1777:  "  Major  Nathan  Gallup  is  appointed,  instead  of  Luke 
Perkins,  deceased,  to  assist  in  apprizing  damages  due  to  Mr.  Jona- 
than Chester,  of  Groton,  by  building  the  forts  at  Groton  ;  by  build* 
ing  said  forts  on  his  land,  and  if  any  objection  arises  against  Major 
Gallup  then  the  committee  is  to  agree  with  Captain  Chester  or  one 
in  his  room." 

"  Voted,  To  draw  an  order  on  the  pay-table  in  favor  of  Captain 
Jonathan  Chester  for  £15  in  part  for  his  land  taken  for  the  forts  at 
Groton.  Order  delivered  to  Mr.  Thomas  Chester  inclosed  in  a 
letter." 

7 


Connecticut  Colonial  Records,  volume  xv,  page  392  :  "  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Safety,  September  5,  1777, 
Voted  and  resolved,  To  draw  on  the  pay-table  for  ninety-nine 
pounds  in  favor  of  Captain  Jonathan  Chester,  of  Groton,  in  full 
satisfaction  (with  fifteen  pounds  already  paid  him)  for  the  land  taken 
from  him  for  the  use  of  the  forts  at  Groton,  for  which  he  has  given  a 
deed  to  the  governor  and  company  of  this  state.  Order  delivered  to 
Major  Hillhouse  September  5,  1777." 

The  original  deed  was  as  follows  : 

To  all  people  to  Whom  these  presents  shall  come,  Greeting  : 
Know  ye,  that  I,  Jonathan  Chester  of  Groton,  in  the  County  of 
New  London,  for  the  consideration  of  £i  14.0.0,  Lawful  Money 
Received  to  my  full  satisfaction  of  the  Governor  and  Company  of 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  Do  hereby  Give,  Grant,  Bargain,  sell  and 
Confirm,  unto  the  said  Governor  and  Company  of  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, A  Certain  Tract  or  Parcel  of  Land,  Lying  and  being  in 
Groton,  aforesaid,  Bounded  as  follows,  (viz):  Beginning  at  the 
Southwest  Corner  of  the  West  Battery,  thence  East  25  Degrees, 
South  7  Rods  and  3  Links  ;  thence  East  8  Degrees,  South  31  Rods 
to  a  mear  stone,  thence  Nor.'h  24  Degrees,  East  8  Rods  and  four 
Links  to  a  heap  of  Stones,  thence  West  12  Degrees,  North  40  Rods 
and  20  Links  to  the  Edge  of  the  Rock,  thence  South  24  Degrees, 
West  9  Rods  to  the  first  Bound,  containing  2  Acres,  i  Quarter  and 
3  Rods.  To  have  and  to  Hold  the  said  Granted  and  Bargained 
Premises,  with  the  appurtenances  thereof  unto  the  said  Governor  and 
Company  forever  to  his  and  their  Own  proper  use,  and  I  Do  hereby, 
for  myself,  my  hiers,  executors  and  Administrators,  Covenant  toar.d 
with  the  said  Governor  and  Company  that  at  and  until  the  Ensealing 
of  these  Presents  I  am  well  seized  of  the  Premises  as  a  Good,  Inde- 
feasible Estate  in  fee  simple,  and  that  I  have  Good  Right  to  Bargain 
and  Sell  the  Same  in  manner  and  form  above  Written  and  that  the 
same  is  free  and  clear  of  all  Incumbrances  Whatsoever,  and  further- 
more I  Do  hereby  for  myself,  my  hiers,  executors  and  Administrators 
covenant  and  promise  to  the  Said  Governor  and  Company  to  War- 
rant and  Defend  the  said  Granted  premises  to  him  and  them  Against 
all  Claims  and  Demands  Whatsoever.  In  Witness  Whereof  I  have 


hereunto   set   my   hand  and    Seal  this  7th   Day  of   October  Anno 
Domini  1777. 

Signed,  Sealed  and  Delivered  in  presence  of 

WILLIAM  SALTONSTALL, 
MARVIN  WAIT. 

JONATHAN  CHESTER. 

[Seal.] 
New  London,  County  of  New  London,  "th  October,  1777. 

Personally  appeared  Jonathan  Chester,  Grantee,  and  acknowl- 
edged the  foregoing  to  be  his  free  Act  and  Deed,  Before  me. 

WILLIAM  SALTONSTALL, 

Justice  Peace. 

ELISHA  PRIOR'S  DEED. 

To  all  people,  to  whom  these  presents  Shall  come,  Greeting  ; 
Know  ye,  that  I,  Elisha  Prior,  of  Groton,  in  the  County  of  New 
London,  for  the  Consideration  of  fifty-six  Pounds  Lawful  Money, 
received  to  my  full  Satisfaction  of  the  Governor  and  Company  of  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  Do  Give,  Grant,  Bargain,  Sell  and  Convey  unto 
the  said  Governor  and  Company,  A  Certain  Tract,  or  parcel  of  Land 
Lying,  and  being  in  Groton  Aforesaid.  Bounded  as  followeth, 
(viz):  Beginning  at  a  heap  of  Stones  by  the  Stone  wall  of  Capt. 
Chester's  Land,  that  he  Sold  Said  Prior,  a  little  Easterly,  of  the 
upper  Fort,  thence  W.  12  degrees,  N.  in  the  line  said  Prior  bought 
of  Capt.  Chester  42  Rods  and  20  Links  ;  to  the  west  Edge,  of  the 
Rocks,  and  battery,  thence,  Southerly,  to  a  bound  Sold  by  Capt. 
Chester,  to  the  Governor  and  Company  5  Rods,  thence  Easterly, 
in  Chester's  line,  about  40  Rods,  to  another  bound  of  Chester's,  a 
heap  of  stones — thence  Northerly  5  Reds  to  the  first  mentioned 
bound,  Containing  one  Acre,  and  One  Quarter.  To  have,  and  to 
hold,  the  said  Granted,  and  bargained  premises,  with  the  Appur- 
tenances, thereof  unto  the  Said  Govr.  and  Comp:X  forever  to  their 
Own  proper  use,  and  I  do  hereby,  for  myself,  my  hiers,  Executors, 
and  Administrators,  Covenant,  to,  and  with  the  said  Govr.  and 


Comp-.y  that  at,  apd  until  the  Ensealing  of  these  presents,  I  am  well 
seized  of  the  premises,  as  a  Good  Indefeasible  Estate  in  Fee  Simple, 
and  that  I  have  good  right,  to  bargain,  and  sell  the  Same,  in  manner 
and  form  as  above  Written,  and  that  the  same,  is  free  and  clear,  of 
all  incumbrances  Whatsoever,  and  furthermore  I  Do  hereby  for 
myself,  my  hiers,  and  Executors  Covenant,  and  promise  to  the  Said 
GoV.  and  CompiX,  to  Warrant  and  Defend,  the  said  bargained 
premises,  against  all  Claims,  and  Demands  Whatsoever. 

In  witness — Whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  Seal 
this  i6th  Day  of  September  A.  D.  1777 

Signed,  Sealed  &  De-.d]  ELISHA  PRIOR. 

In  presence  of 

EDWARD  JEFFERY         j  [Seal] 

YOUNGS  LEDYARD.       j 

New  Londo*n,  Sep:m.  i6th  1777. 

Elisha  Prior,  of  Groton,  in  New  London  County,  the  Signer 
and  Sealer,  of  the  foregoing  Instrument, 

Personally  Appeared  before  Me,  the  Subscriber,  and  Acknowl- 
edged the  Same,  to  be  his  free  Act,  and  Deed. 

CORAM  WILLIAM  NOYES, 

Just:c.  Peace. 
Said  Deeds  from  Groton  Records,  Book  g,  page  31. 

*  *****  * 

Our  question,  Who  built  the  Forts  ?  has  been  answered  by 
"  confirmation  strong  (almost)  as  proof  of  Holy  Writ."  Let  us 
satisfy  ourselves  thoroughly  who  was  Ebenezer  Ledyard,  Esq.,  so 
prominently  active  in  its  construction. 

Ebenezer  Ledyard,  Esq.,  the  third  son  of  John  Ledyard  and 
Deborah  Youngs,  was  a  shipowner  and  West  India  merchant  of 
wealth  and  influence.  His  position  was  such  that  in  the  account  of 
the  times  his  given  name  is  hardly  known,  being  always  called 
"  Squire  Ledyard."  He  was  among  the  foremost  in  all  actions  tend- 
ing to  help  the  colonies  to  success.  In  the  account  given,  Captain 
Bromfleld  paroled  the  wounded  men  who  were  left  and  took  Ebenezer 


Ledyard,    Esq.,  as  a  hostage   for  them   left  on  parol    "  to  see  them 
forthcoming  if  called  for." 

"  In  this  he  dared  to  brave  the  dangers  of  the  British  prison  ship 
that  his  wounded  friends  and  neighbors  might  have  the  care  of 
friends  in  their  sufferings." 

Stephen  Hempstead  speaks  of  this,  and  also  of  the  fact  of  his 
procuring  "  a  sentinel  to  guard  the  wounded  from  molestation  until 
the  last  of  the  enemy  had  embarked."  His  house  and  all  other 
property  burnable  was  destroyed  by  fire.  In  the  fire  land  awards 
his  loss  was  much  the  largest  of  any  one  in  Groton.  He  was  the 
father  of  thirteen  sons." 

"  Ebenezer  Ledyard,  of  Groton,  one  of  the  committee  in  charge 

of  the  construction  of  the  fort  in   1775,  was   also  one  of  its  hapless 

garrison.     He  was  taken  prisoner,  and  held  to  the  close  of  the  war, 

as  an  hostage  for  a  body  of  wounded  prisoners." — Morgan  Genealogy. 

*  *  ***** 

Historians  tell  us  there  remains  today  no  more  complete  relic  of 
the  Revolutionary  struggle  than  the  grassy  ramparts  of  Fort  Griswold. 
The  pickets,  platforms  and  barracks  are  dust,  but  the  ramparts  are 
as  perfect  as  when  left  by  the  hands  of  the  builders. 

The  tourist  who  inspects  these  walls  can  but  admire  the  skill 
and  judgment  of  the  farmer  engineers  who  constructed  them. 

The  hill  which  they  crown  rises  steeply  from  the  water's  edge 
to  a  height  of  more  than  a  hundred  feet. 

The  central  area  of  the  fort  is  nearly  square,  being  150  feet  in 
length  by  no  in  width.  The  walls  are  of  stone,  ten  or  twelve  feet 
in  height,  and  sodded. 

On  the  wall  was  a  row  of  pickets,  projecting  over  twelve  feet, 
and  above  these  was  built  a  parapet  with  embrasures  for  guns,  and 
within  a  platform  for  cannon.  The  entrance,  twelve  feet  wide,  was 
in  the  northern  wall,  and  protected  by  a  gate  and  a  triangular  bat- 
tery, one  hundred  and  twenty  yards  distant  on  which  was  mounted 
a  three  pounder.  Bastions  at  each  corner  enfiladed  the  walls,  and  a 
ditch  thirty  feet  wide  and  seven  feet  deep  surrounded  the  fort,  except 
on  the  southwest  where  a  ledge  of  rocks  formed  a  natural  wall. 


UCSB   LIBRARY 

X- 

Half  way  down  the  hill  slope,  towards  the  river,  was  a  small 
battery  communicating  by  a  covered  way  with  the  fort,  but  which 
was  of  no  service  except  in  case  of  a  water  attack. 

The  ramparts  of  Fort  Griswold  are  as  perfect  as  when  left  by 
the  hands  of  the  builders.  —  Magazine  of  American  History.  Vol. 
VI.  page  163. 

******* 

While  then,  we  give  immortal  honor  to  Colonel  William 
Ledyard,  let  us  not  forget  the  unselfish  and  noble  Ebenezer  Ledyard 
who  like  a  seer  saw  the  impending  storm  and  made  all  haste  in  his 
endeavors  to  construct  the  fort  and  save  Groton  and  the  surrounding 
country  from  the  ruthless  foe — or  Youngs  Ledyard,  who  like  them 
exemplified  by  giving  his  life  that  "Greater  love  hath  no  man  than 
this,  that  he  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friend."  Noble  trio  ! 

"They  sleep  their  last  sleep 
They  have  fought  their  last  battle 
No  sound  can  awake  them  to  glory  again." 

M.   E.   B. 


